Sam Valme Sr., PhD

06/01/2026

June is a special month for so many reasons. ☀️

It marks the beginning of summer, a season filled with family gatherings, cookouts, festivals, music, and time spent building memories with the people we love most.

As someone proud of my Haitian heritage, Caribbean American Heritage Month always holds special meaning for me. It is a time to celebrate the culture, resilience, food, music, history, and contributions Caribbean people continue to bring to communities across America.

June also reminds us of the importance of freedom, family, and unity through Juneteenth, Father’s Day, and Pride Month. Each observance carries its own story, history, and meaning for many families and communities across this country.

No matter where we come from, one thing remains true:Strong communities are built when people respect one another, support one another, and continue learning from one another.

Wishing everyone a safe, meaningful, and positive month ahead. 🇭🇹🇺🇸

05/31/2026

🇺🇸 One thing military service taught me is this:

Strong communities are built when people are willing to serve something bigger than themselves.

That service can look different for everyone:
• mentoring youth
• supporting veterans
• volunteering locally
• helping neighbors
• coaching sports
• supporting small businesses
• protecting the history and culture of our communities

Too often people think leadership only starts with elected office. It doesn’t.

Real leadership starts long before titles.

Henry County has a lot of good people who care deeply about this community. We simply need more people willing to stay engaged and work together.

What’s one organization, group, or cause in Henry County you believe deserves more community support?

05/30/2026

The City of Stockbridge could not bestow this honor on a more deserving man. Councilman Alphonso Thomas dedicated himself to preserving the history, character, and spirit of our community. From his work supporting the MLK Sr. Heritage Trail to helping recognize and celebrate Carrie Mae Hambrick Day, Councilman Thomas believed that the history of Stockbridge should never be forgotten and that future generations should always know the shoulders they stand upon.

What made Councilman Thomas special was not only his leadership but the way he carried himself with dignity, humility, and respect for others. He was a calm and thoughtful statesman who truly cared about the people of this city. Whether serving in public office or speaking with neighbors and friends, he always made people feel heard, valued, and appreciated.

This road dedication is more than a sign. It is a lasting reminder of a man who poured his heart into the City of Stockbridge and worked tirelessly to leave it better than he found it.

Councilman Alphonso Thomas was truly a friend to myself and to the citizens of the City of Stockbridge. He is deeply missed, but his legacy will continue to live on throughout our community for generations to come.

📅 Thursday, June 11, 2026
🕓 4:00 PM
📍 Green Front Cafe
112 2nd St, Stockbridge, GA 30281

05/26/2026

📣 Community Leaders, Churches, HOAs & Nonprofits — Let’s Get Our Residents Hired!

This summer, we’re partnering with local churches, libraries, nonprofits, and HOAs throughout Stockbridge and Ellenwood to bring FREE Resume Writing and Interview Preparation Workshops directly into our communities.

The goal is simple: help residents build confidence, sharpen their skills, and become more competitive in today’s job market.

If your neighborhood, church, or organization would like to host a workshop, now is the time to secure a date before the summer schedule fills up. Limited sessions are available.

These workshops are practical, interactive, and focused on real-world results for:
✔️ Adults seeking employment
✔️ Residents changing careers
✔️ Individuals returning to the workforce
✔️ Seniors exploring new opportunities

Each session includes:
📝 Resume Writing Support
🎤 Interview Preparation & Mock Interviews
💼 Professional Branding Tips
🤝 Career Readiness Guidance

Together, we can create opportunities, strengthen families, and invest in the future of our community.

👉 To schedule a FREE workshop for your community group, HOA, church, or nonprofit, contact: [email protected]

05/25/2026

Today, I proudly stood alongside my comrades from VFW Post 12180 as we participated in the City of Stockbridge Memorial Day March to honor the brave men and women who gave the ultimate sacrifice in defense of our nation. As we remember our fallen heroes, I also want to recognize the Gold Star families and loved ones who continue to carry the weight of that sacrifice every day. The courage and selfless service of those who answered the call to serve reflects the very best of our nation, and I remain honored to have served beside such dedicated men and women and to continue serving our community through the VFW. To the families of the fallen, we salute you, we thank you, and we will never forget the sacrifice your loved ones made for all of us. 🇺🇸

05/25/2026

On Memorial Day, we honor the brave men and women who gave the ultimate sacrifice in service to our nation. Their courage, service, and sacrifice will never be forgotten.

Today, we pause to remember our fallen heroes and the freedoms their sacrifice helped protect. May we continue to honor their legacy through unity, gratitude, and service to one another. 🇺🇸

Join the City of Stockbridge for the Memorial March of Stockbridge as we come together to honor the brave heroes who made the ultimate sacrifice for our country.

🗓️ Monday, May 25, 2026
⏰ 9:00 AM – 11:00 AM

Participants will march from Merle Manders Conference Center (111 Davis Rd. Stockbridge, GA 30281) to Memorial Park (106 Jennings Way Stockbridge, GA 30281) and return to the conference center.
This special event is dedicated to honoring our heroes that are gone but never forgotten. ❤️🤍💙

🍽️ Lunch will be provided while supplies last.

We invite residents, veterans, families, and community members to walk in remembrance and unity as we pay tribute to those who served our nation with courage and sacrifice.

05/23/2026

Memorial Day is often seen as the unofficial beginning of summer. Across Henry County, families will gather for cookouts, travel, fellowship, and time together with loved ones. While we enjoy these moments, we should never forget the true meaning behind this important day.

Memorial Day is a time to honor the brave men and women of our Armed Forces who gave their lives in service to our nation. Their sacrifice gave us the freedoms, opportunities, and communities we enjoy today. Behind every American flag placed at a gravesite is a story of courage, duty, family, and love of country.

As a veteran and proud member of this community, Memorial Day carries a deep meaning for me personally. It reminds us that service does not end when the uniform comes off. We honor those we lost by continuing to serve one another, supporting our veterans and military families, preserving our local history, and strengthening the communities they fought to protect.

This Memorial Day, I encourage residents across Henry County to take a moment to reflect, attend a remembrance ceremony, visit the Veterans Wall of Honor at Heritage Park, support local veterans organizations, or simply pause during the National Moment of Remembrance at 3:00 PM.

Henry County has always been built on service, sacrifice, resilience, and community. May we continue to move forward together while never forgetting those who paid the ultimate price for our freedom.

May God bless our fallen heroes, their families, our veterans, and the people of Henry County.

05/22/2026

🍿 Support Our Veterans with Double Good Popcorn! 🇺🇸

Enjoy delicious gourmet popcorn while making a real difference in our community! Every purchase helps support the Veterans of Foreign Wars and the important work they do for veterans and their families right here in Henry County.

✨ Freshly popped gourmet popcorn
✨ Amazing flavors everyone will love
✨ Great for gifts, movie nights, and family snacks
✨ Every purchase supports a meaningful cause

Together, we can honor and support those who served our nation. Lean on friends, share the link, and help us spread the word!

🍿 Order here today: https://s.dgpopup.com/qbs5v392

Thank you for supporting our veterans and strengthening our community! 🇺🇸

05/21/2026

🇭🇹 BIG NEWS FOR THE HENRY COUNTY, GA COMMUNITY 🇭🇹

Starting this May, Dinner Ideas for the Haitian Cook will officially be available in all five Henry County libraries. Seeing Haitian recipes and culture represented on library shelves is truly a proud moment for our community.

Families, students, and home cooks across Henry County will now have access to traditional Haitian recipes, cooking inspiration, and a deeper connection to our culture through food.

You can find the cookbook at:

📚 Heritage Park Library
📚 Locust Grove Library
📚 McDonough Library
📚 Stockbridge Library
📚 Fairview Public Library

This moment is about more than a cookbook. It’s about preserving culture, sharing traditions, and making sure Haitian cuisine continues to have a place in our schools, homes, and communities.

If you visit one of the libraries:
👉 Take a picture with the book and tag Dinner Ideas Collective
👉 Tell us which recipe you want to try first
👉 Share this post with someone who loves Haitian food and culture

Thank you to everyone who has supported us along this journey. Every share, purchase, review, and conversation helped make this possible.

You can still order your own copy anytime:
👉 dinnerideascollective.com
👉 Amazon: https://amzn.to/4pNdcY2

Let’s keep the culture cooking, one meal at a time 🇭🇹